Page 22 of The Charmed Friends of Trove Isle
“And then wear it. You should.” Melody offered back a soft smile.
“So nice to see you two friends making up!” Mr. Rodriquez yelled, gaining all the attention of those nearby.
Liz groaned under her breath. She couldn’t help it. She needed to step away. She needed air, but she was standing outside. She couldn’t get any more air than this.
Mr. Lyme tapped the top of his cordless microphone to gain everyone’s attention as he stood at the front of the crowd. “Thank you all for being here tonight,” he said.
The noise of the crowd died down as everyone turned to face him.
Liz listened as he talked about the woman he’d loved. His Jo. They’d never married, but they were as married as any two people could be in Liz’s mind. Mr. Lyme was devoted, and Jo had loved him more than all the treasure in the world’s treasure chest. That’s what she’d always told Liz.
“Find you a man who makes you feel like you’ve happened upon your lost treasure of Atlantis.”
Mr. Lyme handed off his candle to Matt who was standing nearby with Christopher. Then he opened a letter from Jo, explaining that she’d written it the night before she’d passed away and had instructed him to read it at this very occasion.
Without thinking, Liz glanced over and locked eyes with Melody, exchanging a meaningful look. They both seemed to be anticipating and dreading Jo’s final words. Until Jo, the only person who Liz had ever lost was Alyssa. Alyssa’s final words to her were, “Well, that was scary.” It was after the small deer had darted in front of their car, causing Liz to swerve.
Hopefully, Jo had something more insightful to say with her final words.
Mr. Lyme cleared his throat and looked down at the paper in his hands. He began to read.
To the ones I love,
This is not goodbye, although it might feel that way. And for that I’m sorry.
There’s so much I want to say before I leave this world—with a bang—but sometimes less is more, and I’d rather you remember the most important things I have to tell you. Because sometimes we forget to remember. We’re humans after all. But all those little forgotten things, the lost pieces of us that we don’t even know we’re missing, add up. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose ourselves entirely.
So I’m keeping this short and sweet and simple. Here goes . . .
Dreamers, don’t let fear keep you from chasing the desires of your heart. Some people think dreams are just for sleeping, but I say the best ones are had when we’re wide awake. Hidden Treasures was my dream, but I know owning a thrift store isn’t everyone’s thing. God made us all different and I thank Him for that.
One thing I loved about Hidden Treasures was the shoes! Have you ever put yourself in someone else’s shoes? It’s an amazing thing, really. We don’t know what we’d do, or say, or how we’d act until and unless we’ve walked to the market in their shoes. So, in honor of me, try on someone else’s Nikes for a time. Just Do It.
Also, don’t be too stubborn to forgive. But never forget because forgetting can turn you into a fool. True forgiving though, that lifts you to a level that few achieve. Accept each other and love while you can. Because life is fleeting, and sometimes the things that are lost can’t be found again.
Jerry, I’m waiting for you, over the horizon, out among the stars, ready to be your Mrs. Lyme once you join me. No rush. I’m in no hurry. You’ll get here when you get here. Until then, know that I’m not lonely. I’ll be here with my baby son, Jasper, and Alyssa.
Yours Truly,
Jo
P.S. Melody, if you’re home, welcome back. I valued people more than material things in life, but Hidden Treasures was the one thing I regret leaving behind. It’s true to its name. The treasure is there, waiting for you to uncover. Look for it!
Liz looked over and saw Melody’s eyes shimmering with tears. Without thinking, she reached over and squeezed Melody’s hand. Maybe Melody had left when Liz had needed her most, but that didn’t mean Liz’s heart was cold toward her. She knew disappearing was always Mel’s way of dealing with hard things. Leaning in, Liz whispered, “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Melody wiped at her eyes and nodded. She didn’t look okay though.
Mr. Lyme started talking again. “All right, men. If you’ll do the honors.”
Holding her hand, Liz felt Melody’s body tense as Matt and Christopher carried a huge rocket-shaped firework toward a boat that sat idling off the Sunset Park Pier.
“What’s going on?” Melody asked, watching the men. “What are they doing?”
“This is what Jo wanted.” Liz had assumed Melody knew what was about to happen. Jo was her great-aunt. They were family. Wouldn’t Melody’s father have told her that Jo requested to have her ashes poured into a firework to shoot off over the water? Jo wanted to light up the sky and go out with a bang. And that’s exactly what she was doing.
Liz wasn’t thrilled about the idea, but Jo was her own person. The thrift shop owner was unconventional, and Liz loved her for it.
“Jo’s wish was to be shot off in a firecracker?” Melody said, raising her voice. “They’re going to shoot my great-aunt off in a piece of plastic?” Her eyes were wide as she looked at Liz now. “And you think this is okay?”
